Marlton Elementary School Newsletter

November 26, 2007

    http://www.pgcps.pg.k12.md.us/~marlton/

 

Important Dates:

 

11/30  Progress Reports distributed

12/20  Second Quarter Ends

12/4  Family Math Night 7:00 – 8:00 p.m.

12/21-1/1  School closed – Winter Break

12/10–12  PTA Holiday Shop

1/2  School Reopens

 

Dear Parents,

            There are 19 school days until the winter break.  During this short period of time it is easy for children to get distracted from their learning.  Some families may be involved in decorating the home or shopping after work.  Parties and celebrations are planned and attended.  It is extremely important that we work with the students to maintain their focus on homework, studying and deadlines.  Make sure priorities are not altered.  Schoolwork and homework must come first.  Teachers will continue to develop rigorous lessons through the end of the quarter.  Their high expectations for thorough responses, active participation and completed assignments will continue.  Parents and teachers must work together to instill in the children the importance of learning and hard work.  Remind them that fun activities begin after work is finished.

 

Family Math Night – Ms. Rosenau, math teacher, and the staff cordially invite you to join us for Family Math Night on Tuesday, December 4 from 7:00 – 8:00 p.m.  The activity will focus on Making Math Board Games.  Competition increases an individual’s enthusiasm for meeting the challenge and winning. Therefore, students will work harder to memorize their math facts or understand concepts to beat their opponent.  After the games are made, students can play them with their family or friends.  Join us for a game night that will help your child improve their math skills. Please complete the math night attendance form and return it by November 28 in order for materials to be ordered.  To help parents eliminate the dinner rush, the PTA will sell pizza, $1.00 per slice, soda/water, $ .75, and chips $ .50, beginning at 6:30 p.m.  Complete the dinner order form and return it to school by the morning of December 3.

 

First in Math/Challenge 24 – On November 14, five students celebrated at lunch with the principal after earning 1,500 stickers on the First in Math/Challenge 24 website. This was a great achievement but we were disappointed that more students hadn’t met the challenge. Therefore, we developed the “Catch Up” round! Students are asked to work hard and reach 1,500 stickers by December 7.  On December 10, we will celebrate the achievement and our main ingredient at lunch will be “ketchup!”  It has been found that the problem solving activities and the higher level thinking questions raise students’ achievement on paper/pencil assessments.  Plus, the students say, “It’s fun!”  Encourage your child to meet the challenge in this special “Catch Up” round.

 

ExxonMobil  - Thanks to the efforts of Samrish Singh, of the ExxonMobil station at 7625 Crane Highway, Route 301, Upper Marlboro, Marlton Elementary School has been awarded a $500 ExxonMobil Educational Alliance grant for our technology program. The money will be used to purchase a document camera.  Funded by the Exxon Mobil Corporation, the ExxonMobil Educational Alliance program is designed to provide Exxon retailers like Mr. Singh with an opportunity to invest in the future of their community through educational grants to neighborhood schools.

 

Reading Logs – Students must fulfill their reading responsibility, complete the reading log and return it to the teacher by November 30.  Make sure your child is reading every night for at least 20 minutes.

 

American Education Week – We had over 80 parent/grandparents visit their child’s class during visitation day on November 14.  This year’s theme was “Great Public Schools: A Basic Right and Our Responsibility.”  Thank you for your participation.  We look forward to seeing you throughout the school year.  Stop the office, obtain a visitor’s pass, and proceed to the classroom.

 

Umbrellas Needed – We have two temporary buildings, lovingly referred to as the “condos”.  The students move back and forth from the school for lunch, restrooms, gym, instrumental music and vocal music.  On rainy days, the students need umbrellas.  If we had 45 umbrellas, two children could share an umbrella and walk to the condo while another class is returning to the school and the second grade students could walk to the school as well.  If you have an extra old umbrella, please donate it to our school. So far, we have had 8 umbrellas donated.  Please check your closets for an old but usable umbrella.

 

Holiday Shop - The PTA is sponsoring a “holiday shop” December 10, 11, and 12 for the children to do some family shopping.   On Wednesday, December 12 the shop will be open until 7:30 p.m.  This will be held in the library.

 

Oops! Pet Patrol Needed – An unfortunate problem was discovered last week during our monthly fire drill.  When the children and teachers exited the “condos”, they walked across the grass to move swiftly to their safe location.  Unknowingly, they stepped in dog “do”.  If you walk a dog or if you know of neighbors that walk their dogs on the school property, please be mindful of the students and clean up after the dog.

 

Attendance – Attendance and on time arrivals had improved during the end of the first quarter.  However, lately, we have seen an increase in tardiness.  On time arrival is extremely important to your child and the entire classroom.  When a child arrives late, the child does not have an opportunity to store their belongings, organize their materials for the day and complete their warm-up.  They must rush and try to get focused on the lesson as quickly as possible.  The class is distracted by the newcomer and their learning is affected.  Therefore, we ask that you do what is necessary, organize materials and uniform the night before, set the alarm clock earlier or leave the home earlier in order for your child to arrive between 7:30 and 7:40 a.m.  Classes begin promptly at 7:45 a.m.

 

Howard B. Owens Science Center – As noted in the previous newsletter, families are invited to visit the center to view Susie’s Snowflake.  The program is an introduction to the easily recognized constellations in the winter sky.   “Susie” recognizes six bright stars in the night sky that she uses to make a snowflake! The program will be shown on Saturday performances on Saturday, December 8, 10:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. and  December 14 at 7:30 p.m.  Doors open at 7:00 p.m.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Partners for Success – The following workshops are available at no charge.  For more information contact Patrice Lawson, 301-431-5675.

Friday, Dec. 7

Preparing for the Annual Review
Judy Hoyer Family Learning Center

10:00 – 11:30 a.m.

Thursday, Dec. 13

Testing 101:  Understanding Test Results

New Carrolton Library

6:00 – 8:00 p.m.

Friday, Dec. 14

Basics of Special Education

Judy Hoyer Family Learning Center

10:00 -11:30 a.m.

 

The Judy Hoyer Family Learning Center is located at 8908 Riggs Road, Adelphi, MD 20783.  New Carrolton Library – 7414 Riverdale Road, New Carrolton, MD  20784.

 

Chess Club – Individuals of all ages are invited to learn how to play chess at the Upper Marlboro Library, Main Street, Upper Marlboro, on the first and third Thursdays at 5:30 p.m.

 

Easy ways to help the school – Save your Box Tops for Education located on the labels of General Food products.  Visit www.boxtops4education.com to learn about the program and read the parent’s page on the back of the newsletter. Empty computer printer cartridges should be saved.  Both of these items should be brought to school and placed in receptacles located in the lobby.  The school receives money for these items, which is used for instructional materials.

Giant Food A+ Bonus Bucks – Each year you must sign up with the Giant for this fund-raising program. This is required to ensure your points are properly credited to the correct school. The Marlton Elementary School ID number is 00569.  You may register on-line at the website www.giantfood.com. 

eScrip – Please register your Safeway Saving Card   https://secure.escrip.com/jsp/supporter/registration/step1.jsp

There are many participating merchants that participate in this program as well.  Marlton receives direct deposits from the purchases you make at these stores.

 

Next Newsletter – December 10, 2007

I AM able to attend Marlton Math Night on December 4th at 7:00 P.M.

 

Parent/Guardian Name: ______________________________

 

Student Name:_______________________Gr______  Teacher__________________

 

 

I will be buying pizza for dinner:

 

    Number of people: ________